Hertz Car Hire
Manchester

On arrival at Manchester Airport, the most straightforward way to reach your hire car is to follow the signs for the Car Rental Village. All hire companies are consolidated in this dedicated facility, a short distance from the terminals. A complimentary shuttle bus runs 24/7 between the terminals and the village, so you can get there easily at any hour. Look for the clearly marked bus stops outside the arrivals hall to catch the shuttle for a quick, direct transfer.

While the process can be quick, it's sensible to budget a comfortable amount of time to avoid feeling rushed. You'll need to get from your platform to the hire car desks within the station complex, which can take a few minutes. After that, allow time to complete the hire agreement and for staff to direct you to the vehicle collection point. Allowing for potential queues and the walk to the car park, a buffer of 45 to 60 minutes is a realistic estimate for a smooth, stress-free start.

For a less stressful departure from central Manchester, a reliable sat-nav with lane guidance is essential. Aim for the A57(M), the Mancunian Way, which acts as an inner ring road linking to major motorways like the M602 and M60. Study your route before you set off and get into the correct lane well ahead of junctions to avoid last-minute manoeuvres and to build confidence before entering faster-moving traffic.

Travellers in the Northern Quarter often find it most convenient to use one of the large, secure multi-storey car parks on the area's edge. Locations such as the NCP car parks on Tib Street or Church Street are popular choices. Parking here lets you leave the car for the duration of your stay and explore the neighbourhood's compact streets on foot, avoiding the difficulty of finding limited on-street parking and repeatedly navigating one-way systems.

Driving around Deansgate requires careful planning as it's a busy area with many one-way streets, bus lanes and restricted access zones. Before you arrive, it's highly recommended to contact your hotel for specific instructions on the best approach and where to stop to unload. Many hotels have designated short-term loading bays, but they may be on a side street. Knowing the exact route in advance will help you avoid circling the block and ensure a much smoother check-in with luggage.

To get used to driving on the left, find a quiet area with wide roads and minimal traffic. A large retail park or industrial estate on a Sunday morning, such as parts of Trafford Park away from the main shopping centre, can be ideal. These areas typically have well-marked lanes, roundabouts and junctions but very little traffic outside business hours. Spending 20–30 minutes here can help you build confidence before merging onto busier A-roads or motorways.

The Mancunian Way can be challenging for first-time drivers due to its elevated, multi-lane structure and closely spaced exits. Preparation and lane discipline are key. Use a sat-nav with clear lane-assist visuals and listen to audio prompts. Move into the correct lane well in advance of your exit, as last-minute changes are difficult in heavy traffic. If you have a passenger, ask them to help with navigation so you can focus on the road.

For a day trip, the most convenient approach is to collect your hire car from a location on the outskirts of the city, close to the M60. Areas near the Trafford Centre, Stockport or south Manchester offer easy access to the ring road. This allows you to bypass congestion, one-way systems and bus lanes of the city centre entirely. Starting from a location with direct motorway access will save time and make the start of your trip far more relaxed.

Driving near Old Trafford on a match day is extremely challenging and best avoided if you are just passing through. Expect major road closures, extensive traffic diversions and severe congestion for several hours before and after the match. Pedestrian traffic is also very heavy, making driving slow and unpredictable. Check fixture schedules in advance and plan an alternative route, often using the M60 to bypass the area completely, to avoid significant delays.

For a scenic yet manageable drive to the Peak District, the A6 is an excellent choice. This route heads south-east from Manchester through towns like Stockport and Disley towards Buxton, offering lovely scenery without the stress of single-track lanes. The road is well maintained and wide enough for comfortable driving, providing a great introduction to the national park and a good alternative to more challenging routes like Snake Pass.

A straightforward plan is to take the M6 north directly to junction 36. From there, follow the A590/A591 towards Windermere, which makes an ideal base for exploration. This route is almost entirely on major roads, keeping the drive simple and efficient. From Windermere you can easily visit nearby Ambleside or take a ferry across the lake, letting you experience the heart of the region without navigating a complex web of rural roads.

The main slowdowns when approaching Chatsworth House occur on the final few miles, particularly on the B6012 and through the village of Baslow. This area becomes a bottleneck as traffic from several directions converges on the estate entrance. To time your visit better, aim to arrive early in the morning, ideally before 10:30am, especially at weekends and during school holidays. Arriving ahead of the peak visitor rush allows a clearer drive and better parking options.

The most direct and scenic route to Buxton that avoids major commuter traffic is the A6. This historic road heads south-east from the Manchester area and takes you toward the edge of the Peak District. While it passes through several towns, it is generally a more pleasant and less congested drive than using the motorways in peak hours. The A6 offers a steady pace and lovely views, making it a relaxing journey into the spa town.

The most practical plan for visiting Chester is to use one of the city’s Park and Ride services. These are located on the main arterial roads into the city, allowing you to park in a large, accessible lot on the outskirts. From there, a frequent and inexpensive bus will take you straight into the city centre. This approach removes the stress of navigating Chester’s narrow historic streets and searching for parking in the congested core.

A realistic weekend plan would be to drive from Manchester to York via the M62 on Saturday morning, which takes around 90 minutes without traffic. Park at your accommodation or a long-stay car park and explore the historic city on foot. On Sunday, drive north from York towards a scenic part of the Dales, such as Harrogate or Pateley Bridge, enjoying a few hours on country roads before returning to Manchester via the A59 and M65/M66 routes.

A common mistake when driving to the Etihad Campus is relying solely on a standard sat-nav, which may not account for event-day road closures and traffic management. Drivers often miss the official yellow or electronic signs directing them to event car parks and end up in residential streets. The best approach is to switch off your sat-nav as you get close and follow the official event signage, which will guide you along designated routes to the correct parking areas.

Driving and parking around Salford Quays and MediaCityUK can be very challenging at peak times, such as weekends or when there is an event at The Lowry or a match at Old Trafford. While there are several large multi-storey car parks, they can fill up quickly and lead to queues. To avoid stress, arrive well in advance of your planned time or consider using the Metrolink tram, which has a dedicated stop at MediaCityUK and avoids traffic altogether.

When driving in Manchester, be aware that bus lanes are strictly enforced by cameras and many operate 24 hours a day. These lanes are marked with a solid white line and blue signs indicating operational hours. Accidentally driving in a bus lane during its active times will likely result in a fine. Always pay close attention to road markings and signage, especially on major routes into and out of the city centre, to ensure you stay in the correct lanes.

Manchester’s Metrolink tram corridors often run alongside or down the centre of roads, which requires extra driver awareness. A common point of confusion is intersections where cars and trams share traffic signals or where you must turn right across the tracks. Always look both ways for trams before crossing any tracks and pay close attention to the specific traffic lights, as there are often separate signals for cars and trams. Never stop your vehicle on the tracks.

The area around the University of Manchester, particularly Oxford Road, is one of Europe’s busiest bus corridors with significant restrictions on general traffic. To avoid congestion, plan car trips outside peak commuter and lecture times, typically mid-morning or after the evening rush. Use parallel routes like Upper Brook Street or Princess Road to bypass the most restricted sections of Oxford Road. Using a live traffic app is essential for navigating this area effectively.

The most straightforward route to Alton Towers is to take the M6 south to Stoke-on-Trent, then follow the A50 and local A-roads as directed by the park’s signage. This route primarily uses major dual carriageways, making for a predictable and relatively easy drive. The M6 has several large service stations with fuel, food and restrooms, which are perfect for planned stops. Follow the brown tourist signs for Alton Towers as you get closer to ensure you don’t miss any turns.

A sensible first destination in the Cotswolds from Manchester is a town in the northern part of the region, such as Chipping Campden or Broadway. The drive involves taking the M6 and M5 motorways, which is straightforward, before transitioning to smaller roads for the final leg. Aiming for a northern town breaks the journey into a manageable three-hour drive, allowing you to arrive, check in and begin exploring without feeling exhausted.

UK fuel stations are generally very user-friendly. Pumps are clearly colour-coded and labelled: green for unleaded petrol and black for diesel. Most modern stations offer a pay-at-the-pump option where you insert your card before fuelling, or you can fill your tank and then go inside the kiosk to pay. The process is intuitive, and if you have any uncertainty, station staff are usually happy to assist.

If you're in a larger vehicle like an SUV or van, be cautious in the city's historic core, especially the Northern Quarter, where streets can be very narrow with tight corners. Some older multi-storey car parks in the city centre also have low clearance heights and tight spiral ramps that can be challenging. It's often wiser to use larger, more modern car parks on the edge of the central zone or surface lots where manoeuvring is less of an issue.

For a low-stress return, drive to your departure terminal first and use the designated drop-off zone to unload passengers and luggage, allowing them to head inside to check in. Once they are settled, drive the car to the Car Rental Village by yourself. This avoids the hassle of managing bags and people on the shuttle from the rental facility back to the terminal, making the whole process much smoother.

Both Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations have clearly marked official drop-off zones located directly outside the main entrances. These areas are specifically designed for quick stops to unload passengers and luggage. Using these designated bays prevents you from blocking traffic on the busy surrounding roads or stopping illegally in a bus lane. The zones typically have a short maximum waiting time and are intended for active unloading.

When driving in heavy rain or fog, priorities are to reduce speed and increase following distance to at least a four-second gap. Use dipped headlights so you are visible to other drivers. On motorways like the M60, be especially aware of spray from lorries, which can temporarily obscure vision. If visibility becomes severely limited, don't hesitate to pull over at the next service station and wait for conditions to improve.

A practical and popular first stop on a road trip to Scotland is the Lake District. Towns like Kendal or Penrith are just off the M6, roughly 90 minutes to two hours from Manchester. This breaks the journey into manageable segments and provides a scenic area to relax and explore for the evening. The next day you'll have a much shorter and more pleasant drive to Glasgow or Edinburgh.

A great plan for a North Wales day trip is to take the M56 and then the A55 Expressway, which runs parallel to the coast. Your first stop could be Conwy to explore its magnificent castle and walled town. Afterwards, continue a short distance along the A55 to the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno for coastal views and a walk on the pier. This route is efficient, scenic and allows you to see two distinct highlights before an easy drive back to Manchester.

While the main A55 coastal road to Llandudno is a modern dual carriageway, venturing into Snowdonia can be more challenging. Roads such as the Llanberis Pass (A4086) or routes around Beddgelert can be very narrow, winding and lined with stone walls. These require careful driving and the willingness to use designated passing places to allow oncoming traffic, especially buses, to get by. Drive these scenic routes slowly and confidently.

The easiest way to make a quick grocery stop is to locate a large supermarket in a suburban retail park near your hire location or along your planned route out of the city. Many are situated just off the M60 ring road. By going straight to one of these stores you can park easily, shop for essentials and get back onto a major road without dealing with the complex one-way systems and congestion of the city centre.

When travelling with children, efficiency is key. Try to load the car at your accommodation before everyone gets in to minimise stress. For longer drives, plan your route around motorway service stations, which have family-friendly facilities. When visiting attractions like the Science and Industry Museum, research the closest car park in advance to reduce walking distances for little legs. Building extra time into your schedule for these small logistical steps will make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Navigating complex interchanges on the M60 can be tricky if your phone sat-nav lags. The best strategy is to have a passenger act as a co-pilot, watching the overhead gantry signs and calling out the lane you need to be in. These signs appear well in advance of the junction. If driving alone, pay close attention to the road numbers listed on the signs. If you miss your exit, never make a sudden lane change; proceed to the next junction and let your navigation app reroute you.

In residential neighbourhoods the key is to drive slowly and with heightened awareness. Be prepared to yield to oncoming traffic, as there is often only room for one car to pass between parked vehicles. It’s common courtesy for one driver to pull into a gap to let the other through. Also watch for car doors opening unexpectedly and for pedestrians, especially children, who may emerge from between parked cars without warning.

To avoid gridlock, plan your route logically to minimise crossing through the city centre. Use the M60 ring road as your main artery. For example, start in Stockport (south-east), then take the M60 clockwise to Altrincham (south-west), and finally drive a short distance via local roads to Didsbury. This creates a C-shaped route around the south of the city, which is far more efficient than driving between suburbs through central Manchester.

For a stress-free countryside drive, aim for the western edge of the Peak District. A route using the A6 towards Disley and Whaley Bridge, or the A523 towards Macclesfield, will provide pleasant scenery and access to country pubs. These are well-maintained A-roads that are wide enough for comfortable driving. To avoid single-track lanes, stick to routes designated as A or B roads on your map or navigation app.

The most practical plan is to handle your car return and luggage separately from the event. First, drive to your hotel or accommodation to drop off your bags, even if it’s too early to check in; most will store them for you. After dropping the luggage, return the car to the hire office. From there, use public transport like the Metrolink tram or a taxi to get to the venue, unburdened by your bags.